Plastic Bottles Key Terms

Familiarize yourself with basic vocabulary of plastic bottles

By Lisa Maloney

You're likely to encounter seven types of plastics as a retailer, wholesaler, distributor or consumer of plastic bottles and bottled products. PET and HDPE plastics are by far the most commonly used and easiest to recycle, with LDPE and PP plastics close behind. Polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and mixed resin plastics are rarely used to produce bottles. Review the basic vocabulary, including plastic types, to get a handle on what plastic bottles are safe and which are most easily recycled.

Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical used to create polycarbonate plastics, which are still a popular material for plastic water bottles.
Try: Bisphenol-A is a valuable source of information about Bisphenol A, including information about how it is made and used, along with the latest news and press releases connected to Bisphenol A.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, is a tough, clear plastic that is used to make plastic bottles for a variety of foods and liquids. PET plastic is easily recycled, and can be easily identified because it bears the number "1" within a triangle shape made of arrows.
Try: The Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council details the characteristics and suitability of PET plastics for use in food- and water-containing bottles.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

High density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is identified by its creamy, milky color and the recycling number 2 within a triangle made of arrows.
Try: HDPE-CONTAINERS.com explains the characteristics of HDPE plastic bottles and lists some of the most common uses for bottles made of this type of plastic.

Low Density polyethylene (LDPE)

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) products are more flexible than high-density polyethylene plastics, making them suitable for manufacturing plastic bottles where some flexibility is required. LDPE is also commonly used to produce plastic wrap.
Try: SKS Bottle & Packaging describes the characteristics and uses of LDPE plastics.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene, or PP, plastics are signified by the number 5 within a triangle made of arrows. While this plastic is not as easily recycled as PET and HDPE plastics, it is considered to be safe for use in food and water bottles because it does not leach chemicals.
Try: IDES gives an overview of polypropylene plastics and their common uses, including packaging such as bottles.

Polycarbonate plastic

Polycarbonate plastic has been widely used to produce hard plastic drinking bottles. However, polycarbonate plastic has recently begun to be phased out of production by many manufacturers because it releases Bisphenol A.
Try: San Diego Plastics explains the history, uses and different grades of polycarbonate plastic.